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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

I have the opportunity to leave teaching and open a small tearoom.

45 replies

HarrySnotter · 19/01/2019 14:41

A lot of work I know. Nothing fancy, soups and rolls/toasties/jacket spuds fancy homemade cakes etc during the winter time and lighter bits and pieces in the summer. Would do pensioner and toddler specials (the location is in a park which is packed with parents and toddlers during the summer). I would open Sunday morning for the football games in the park and serve sausage/bacon rolls. Am I completely off my head and living in cloud cuckoo land to even consider this?

OP posts:

user1483390742 · 19/01/2019 14:44

Ooh ooh! Me me me! Can i join you? I'm a fed up teacher and my dream is to open a tea shop (can't bake though!)

raisinsraisins · 19/01/2019 14:46

As long as you’re prepared for working hard, no days off and little money then go for it.

myidentitymycrisis · 19/01/2019 14:47

If it is your dream, then follow it.
If you want to leave teaching - but are not sure where to start - take it
If you want to earn the same salary - think about it

Original poster

HarrySnotter · 19/01/2019 14:50

I don't need to earn very much, but I've wanted to do this for such a long time. It so near to home (5 mins) and the rates are peanuts. I just don't think I can carry on teaching now.

OP posts:

Hunkyd0ry · 19/01/2019 14:53

Sounds like it’s worth a try.
If you’re not sure you could always do the odd bit of supply to keep your hand in.
Could be a good opportunity though, good luck

GoldenSyrupLion · 19/01/2019 14:54

Do it. You can always go back to teaching if you really have to.

shiningstar2 · 19/01/2019 14:58

teaching is a really stressful occupation now with loads of stuff you have to do at the weekend anyway.

On the other hand you can choose when some of this is done whereas you would have to open all week to make a profit I'm guessing and weekends will probably be your busiest times. Also lots of summer working when the days are longer and you have more customers ...so goodbye to the 6 week summer and the may half term. Yes I know some of that is worked.
On the other hand (again) you will probably enjoy the work more ...especially if you like baking, are a people person and are well organised.
If you can afford the unreliability of income level for a while in comparison to a definite wage coming in I would give it a go. You can always go back to teaching if it doesn't work out. You won't necessarily walk straight into long term work but you would get supply until you got a long term job.

Another factor I would be considering is what type of school you are in at the moment. If you have mainly lovely kids, parents and management I would think carefully before I gave that up. These type of schools are not 2 a penny. If your present school is a nightmare you have much less to lose by giving it a whirl. Good luck op.

Original poster

HarrySnotter · 19/01/2019 17:26

If your present school is a nightmare you have much less to lose by giving it a whirl.

Present school is horrendous. I think this is what's pushing me away from teaching tbh.

OP posts:

phlebasconsidered · 19/01/2019 18:00

The only person I know who works longer hours than me for less recompense is my self employed catering partner! He turns over more each year but my goodness the headache of self employment! Making a profit is a lot harder than it looks. Employing staff is a ball ache.

On the other hand, his work isn't "brain" work, he enjoys it, he chats all day to people and he brings nothing home apart from accounting. Nobody observes him! If he wants to try something new he does. Took several years to properly tick over and get all the legal hoops jumped through though. (Food prep,building legislation, health and safety etc)

Arkos · 19/01/2019 18:03

I always wanted to do this and call it 'tea-chers'

ILoveChristmasLights · 19/01/2019 18:08

What would your initial investment need to be?

How long would you be tied into a lease?

If you have kids, how old are they?

If you have one, what does your partner think?

How long could you afford not to take a wage for?

...for starters 🤣😂

But that aside, you NEED to do something. Either another career or simply another school. The kids DO need good teachers in horrendous schools, but you need your own health and sanity 💐

ILoveChristmasLights · 19/01/2019 18:09

Arkos what about ‘Tea-Chairs’ 😊

MissMarplesKnitting · 19/01/2019 18:11

Can I join you?
Another wannabe ex teacher here....and I can bake 😁

sanityisamyth · 19/01/2019 18:15

In a similar boat. About to leave teaching to either a) do another degree or b) buy an existing soft play venue. Both of which are quite exciting!

If you have the opportunity to leave teaching and the alternative can support you, reduce your stress levels etc. Then I would grab it with both hands. Good luck!

raver123 · 19/01/2019 18:16

I think you'll be fine. I'm self employed and had a salon many year certainly earned more than teaching. I've trained in teaching (college adult). I earn more self employed. Just be prepared to work hard.

KarinandtheSeaUrchins · 19/01/2019 18:17

I would go for it!

viques · 19/01/2019 18:20

Used to be my Friday afternoon golden time dream! A tea room/bookshop combi which miraculously turned into a bijou art cinema in the evening..............

viques · 19/01/2019 18:22

Or a cheese shop specialising in smal producer English cheeses.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 19/01/2019 18:23

My friend did this. He never has a day off. The tea room closed for the whole, of January. But otherwise he has zero days off. Works hard all day and bakes in the evenings for the next day.

He does seem to love it. But he says it’s insanely hard work.

Jsmith99 · 19/01/2019 18:24

By all means follow your dream, OP, but you need to be aware that people who run their own small businesses don’t get a generous public-sector pension scheme, don’t get every weekend off and don’t get 13 weeks annual leave, either....

MiceSqueakCatsMeow · 19/01/2019 18:26

I don't think with all the uncertainty of Brexit and how it's affecting jobs, house prices etc that people are going to have much spare cash. Also will we get as many tourists when the boarders close. I get it, I used to be a teacher. But people will always have dcs. I don't think at the moment it's a good idea.

Arkos · 19/01/2019 18:32

Yes actually tea-chairs would be better😁

SecretlyChartreuse · 19/01/2019 18:35

This is my partner’s (also a teacher) retirement dream.

Who knows what the economy will be in 30/40 years?

Original poster

HarrySnotter · 19/01/2019 18:36

What would your initial investment need to be?

Not much, about £1000. I already have crockery/cutlery in storage (it was gifted to me).

How long would you be tied into a lease?

I don't know that yet, it's one of my main questions (meeting in a couple of weeks).

If you have kids, how old are they?

15 and almost 13

If you have one, what does your partner think?

He"s fine with it, he wants me to quit teaching anyway as it's making me miserable.

How long could you afford not to take a wage for?

We'd be ok. DH is a high earner.

I know it's be hard I'm not afraid of the hours or hard work. I bake a lot and my friend is a wonderful baker who already supplies a farm shop.

It all sounds like a bit of a pipe dream doesn't it ...

OP posts:

starrynight19 · 19/01/2019 18:44

I would absolutely do it. Teaching is very tough currently.
If your unhappy in your current work what have you got to lose.
If you don’t grab this opportunity you will always wonder what if.
Could you see yourself in teaching in another 5/10 years ?

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